© Jon Hawkins - Surrey Hills Photography
Wildlife gardening in April
April is a busy month in the wildlife garden. Most birds will be establishing their nests and many insects are already breeding. Hedgehogs will be fattening up ready to mate in May, whilst frogs and toads will now have left their breeding ponds in search of damp places to shelter.
Wildlife Gardening activities
Holding peat-free compost © Gavin Dickson
Empty your compost bin - or start one!
Now is the time to empty your compost bin, as any hibernating species should have now emerged. Check the bin carefully for reptiles, amphibians and small mammals such as hedgehogs before emptying.
Haven't got a compost heap yet? Now is the time to start
© Jon Hawkins - Surrey Hills Photography
Make a bee home
Solitary bees are important pollinators and a gardener’s friend. Help them out by building a bee hotel for your home or garden.
© Chris Gomersall/2020VISION
Sow a mini meadow
Now is the time to sow a mini wildflower meadow. Planting wildflowers provides vital resources to support a wide range of insects that couldn't survive in urban areas otherwise. Consider sowing a cornfield annual mix that includes plants like cornflower, corn poppy, corn marigold and corncockle
Runner beans growing in a old tyre ©Eden Jackson
Grow vegetables for wildlife
April is a great time to plant a variety of vegetables. Learn about companion planting, friendly pest control, organic repellents and how wildlife and growing vegetables can go hand in hand.
More ways to help wildlife in April
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